With the first day of autumn (22nd September this year) just around the corner and the increased likelihood of wearing closed in shoes. Here are five tips to maintain healthy feet until the sandal season is here again.
- Rotate your shoes. This means after you have worn a pair of shoes leave it at least 24 hours before you wear them again, longer if they get wet. This will allow the shoes to dry thoroughly between wearing them helping to reduce the risk of developing fungal infection.
- Check all your footwear for any internal seams or damage. This could cause rubbing/iteration on any bony prominence such as bunions or hammer toes. In turn increase the pain and/or callous and corn formation. Also check your insoles and replace if they have bedded down reducing the effectiveness of the cushioning they provide.
- If you suffer from cold feet consider purchasing wool lined or foil lined insoles to help insulate your feet from the cold. This will keep the feet warm and help reduce the risk of problems like chilblains.
- Continue to moisturise your feet. This will keep them in better condition throughout the winter.
- Make an appointment with your podiatrist to remove any unwanted callouses or corns, meaning your feet will be more comfortable going back into winter shoes/boots.